Empowering marginalised communities: Korea’s climate‑smart agriculture programme in Kenya

Abstract

In collaboration with UN Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and World Vision, Korea has launched the climate-smart agriculture programme in Kenya to tackle poverty and inequality among marginalised groups, particularly women and children. Through group-based empowerment and capacity-building initiatives, climate-smart agriculture has enhanced economic status and fostered social change. Further, it has influenced policy shifts and secured official budget allocations for climate-smart agriculture implementation at the county level.

This content is part of TIPs In Practice series on poverty and inequalities developed in collaboration with the Development Co-operation Report 2024: Tackling poverty and inequalities through the green transition. 

Challenge

Kenya’s gross domestic product rose by 4.6% annually from 2018 to 2022. Despite this, 36% of Kenyans in arid and semi-arid areas remain vulnerable to climate change effects like droughts and floods, leading to food insecurity and worsened livelihoods. Women, who comprise 75% of the smallholder agricultural labour force and manage 40% of smallholder farms in Kenya, face social discrimination and limited decision-making power despite their significant economic contributions. Refugees from neighbouring countries, 77% of whom are women and children, form another marginalised group facing economic, social, and food insecurities.

To tackle these challenges, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has launched a Climate-Smart Agriculture programme to address climate issues, build community resilience and empower marginalised groups.

Approach

The climate-smart agriculture initiative is part of KOICA's Mid-term Sectoral Strategy for Agriculture and Climate Action 2021-2025, supporting developing countries in climate change and green transformation through:

• Financial support and guidance to implementation partners:

  • Since 2020, KOICA has provided USD 5.41 million to the women through climate-smart agriculture in arid and semi-arid central areas (WEE-CSA) project, implemented by UN Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and local partners (ADSE, HiH EA, Village Enterprise) across West Pokot, Laikipia and Kitui Counties.

  • In 2022, KOICA funded the Kenya Kalobeyei Integrated Drought Response and Management (K-DREAM), implemented by World Vision Korea and Kenya, in collaboration with the Turkana County government, Kenya’s Department of Refugee Services, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Norwegian Refugee Council. KOICA also guided partners in developing sustainable mechanisms for impact through group-based management.

• Group-based rural empowerment through capacity-strengthening initiatives: Farmers, including women, received group training in climate-smart agriculture techniques (e.g. vertical gardens, agroforestry, rain harvesting) and value-chain activities (production, marketing, storage). County officers were also trained in climate-smart agriculture and policy workshops were organised on gender-responsive agriculture (group mobilisation, public participation, market linkage, etc.), fostering collaborative policy development at the county level.

Results

• Outreach and improved economic status of beneficiaries:

  • The women through climate-smart agriculture in arid and semi-arid central areas (WEE-CSA) project has reached 2 708 farmers and 13 540 indirect beneficiaries. According to the rapid assessment report the average monthly income of rural women increased by 110%, from USD 51 in 2020 to USD 107 in 2023. Group income across value chains surged by 22 times, with notable improvements in common bean, tree seedling and honey production. The adoption rate of climate-smart agriculture practices rose to 85% in 2023, up from 30% in 2020.

  • The K-DREAM project has positively impacted 3 600 refugees and host community residents and 31 954 indirect beneficiaries.

• Integration of climate-smart agriculture in policy and budgets: Kitui, Laikipia and West Pokot Counties have incorporated climate-smart agriculture practices into their county integrated development plans (2023-27) and annual development plans for 2023-24. Kitui and Laikipia Counties have strengthened gender-responsive climate-smart agriculture initiatives. In 2023-24, Kitui County increased its climate-smart agriculture budget by 61% and its women’s empowerment initiatives budget by 45%.

• Improved indicators on social change and livelihood

  • Women’s decision-making on household income rose from 50% in 2020 to 95% in 2023, with income-related disputes decreasing by 47%. Economic empowerment has reduced women’s financial dependence on their husbands, boosted their confidence, alleviated stress and contributed to household peace. This correlation is being explored in an ongoing survey that will conclude in July 2024.

  • Refugees revitalised livelihoods by restoring 24 acres of nutrient-rich grazing land with drought-tolerant grass seeds, facilitating easy access to fresh grass for livestock.

Lessons learnt

• County governments play a crucial role in programme ownership, capacity-building training and market information dissemination to ensure self-sustainability and reduce reliance on external support in Kenya’s decentralised governance model. However, challenges like a shortage of extension officers and budget constraints persist. Proactive measures, such as West Pokot County’s plan to recruit 100 new officers in 2024/25, are essential to address these issues.

• Group co-operation was crucial for women to break traditional norms, gain confidence, enhance their business negotiation skills and assume leadership roles in village committees. This approach fostered accountability amongst members, contributing to community resilience and harmony.

• Inclusion of male members in women’s empowerment initiatives extended the empowerment message to the wider community, gaining support from non-participant men and promoting a supportive environment for women, ensuring the initiative’s sustainability and promoting a greater cultural shift.

• Advocacy and raising awareness: Group leaders and members participated in radio shows alongside county officers to discuss the benefits of climate-smart agriculture practices for women, such as increased income, access to nutritious diets and improved financial capacity. Radio, with its extensive reach in rural Kenya, helped positively represent women in leadership roles and raise awareness about climate-smart agriculture.

Further information

Maichuhie, K. (2024), “How climate-smart farming has revolutionised women’s lives in three counties”, Nation, https://nation.africa/kenya/news/gender/how-climate-smart-farming-has-revolutionised-women-s-lives-in-three-counties-4600976.

KOICA (2024), “Women’s laughter blossoms in drought-stricken country”, Magazine KOICA, https://www.koica.go.kr/koica_en.

The Standard (2022), Climate change dries rivers, keeps children out of school, https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/health-science/2001452096/climate-change-dries-rivers-keeps-children-out-of-school.

Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (2019), Women’s Access to Agricultural Finance in Kenya: Baseline Report 2019, https://data.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Kenya_AFC-baseline-survey-report.pdf.

KTN News, UN Women Rapid Assessment Report, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTPs9Lqcg0w.

UN Women and FAO, Rapid Assessment Report for Kenya Economic Empowerment of Women through Climate Smart Agriculture in Arid and Semi-Arid Central Areas (forthcoming).

OECD resources 

OECD (2024), Development Co-operation Report 2024: Tackling poverty and inequalities through the green transition, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/357b63f7-en.

OECD (2024), OECD Development Co‑operation Peer Reviews: Korea 2024, OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/889c6564-en.

OECD (2001), Poverty Reduction, The DAC Guidelines, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264194779-en.

To learn more about Korea’s development co-operation, see:

OECD, “Korea”, in Development Co-operation Profiles, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/d919ff1a-en.

See more In Practice examples from Korea here: https://www.oecd.org/development-cooperation-learning?tag-key+partner=korea#search.